The latest revision of Apple’s desktop operating system for the Macintosh line of computers is here. A couple of months ago we showed you how to setup a dual boot configuration if you’re interested in trying out the previews. The upgrade includes many features focusing on making your Mac smarter, easier to use and maintain. You can also now use your Apple Watch to unlock the Mac on supported models.

Sierra includes automated storage management, deleting and moving frequently accessed files to iCloud, Apple Pay on the Web, picture-in-picture player, and universal clipboard. You can also sync your desktop across other Macs running Sierra and Apple devices running iOS 10. The biggest addition is Siri support; the iOS digital assistant can now be used on your Mac. In this article, we show you how to get your Mac ready for the upgrade.

Get Your Mac Ready for MacOS Sierra Version 10.12

Before you can upgrade to Sierra, you need to check if your Mac is supported. MacOS 10.12 drops Macintosh models going back as far as 2009. This is because some devices might not support certain Bluetooth technologies and OS X frameworks such as the new metal for handling GPU specific performance. To check the model of your Mac, click the Apple menu > About This Mac then select the Overview tab. Even if your Mac is supported, you might want to carefully consider whether the upgrade is worth it considering that some features will require newer models.

After determining if your Mac is capable of running Sierra, you might want to perform some pre-requisite tasks; such as making sure you have enough free space, backup your Mac and update applications before initiating the upgrade. Mac OS Sierra is a 4.7 GB download, so you want to make sure you have enough space to store the download file and also keep a backup copy for future purposes. If there are any old apps or files you don’t need that might be taking up space; you should either delete or back them up to an external drive. Also, check the App Store for any updates before starting the upgrade. Be sure to check out our article for instructions how to use Time Machine to backup your Mac.

Download and Install MacOS Sierra

Now that those chores are out of the way, we are ready to install MacOS Sierra. Launch the App Store in the Dock and then click Download. If Sierra is not showing up in the Store as a featured app, use the search box to find it.

The download might take some time depending on the speed of your Internet connection. If you experience problems downloading, try switching to the Google Public DNS. I notice it helps with downloads from the App Store.

After the download is complete, you can find the app in your Downloads folder. If you want to keep a backup for future needs or to update additional Macs, copy the installer to a different location. Launch the installer then click Continue.

Accept the End User License Agreement then select the drive where you want to install Sierra. The installer will restart your Mac then complete the installation. After setup is complete, you can check the App Store updates.

That’s it! If you want to try out Siri, make sure you are connected to the Internet then press Fn + Space key or click Siri in the Dock or menu bar. Tell us what you think of the update.